Top 10 Things to do in Kelowna, Canada!

Kelowna is a picturesque Canadian city known for its stunning landscapes, vineyards, and outdoor recreational opportunities. In this blog, we will be highlighting what we believe to be the top 10 things to do in Kelowna, whether you're a nature enthusiast, a wine lover, or an adventure seeker, this vibrant city has something for everyone to enjoy.

Knox Mountain

If you're wanting a fantastic view of Kelowna and the beautiful Okanagan Lake then a hike up Knox Mountain will give you just that! The journey to the top will take you approximately 45mins - 1 hour with plenty of stops along the way to capture beautiful photos of the city and natural landscape. Do keep in mind there isn't much shade in terms of tree's so do wear plenty of sunscreen and bling plenty of water, especially on a hot day!

Kalamalka Lake

Kalamalka Lake is located just 45 minutes from Downtown Kelowna, and it is known for its beautifully clear waters. When we visited the lake in mid-August for sunrise, we found it to be incredibly tranquil and peaceful. We specifically went to the Kaloya Regional Park area, and during the early morning, we had the whole place to ourselves. Once you’re there, swimming in the lake is of course the must-do activity, and to our surprise, the water was at such a nice temperature which made for a truly relaxing swim. If you have the opportunity to visit Kalamalka Lake, we genuinely cannot recommend it enough!

City Park

City Park is situated near Downtown Kelowna, making it an almost guarantee that you will stumble upon exploring it. The park offers more than just beach access; it also features food vendor trucks, volleyball and basketball courts, and even an inflatable water park. You can enjoy the water park for a fee of $34 CAD per adult, but after 5:30pm, the cost decreases to $24 CAD, providing a fun opportunity to savour the sunset. If you're seeking a delightful spot to unwind and bask in the sunshine, City Park is the perfect destination!

Mission Creek

Mission Creek stretches for 26 kilometers, offering a wonderful opportunity to enjoy its scenic beauty as it flows from the shore of Okanagan Lake down to Mission Creek Falls. If you're in Kelowna, we highly recommend exploring the Mission Creek Regional Park area. Here you'll find an information centre to help you plan your exploration as well as great starting spot to the walking trails and bike paths. While the creek may not be very deep, you can still take a refreshing dip in its waters for a relaxing cool-off.

Grab some Ice Cream/Gelato

Now if you're wanting a place to grab a delicious dessert then you are spoilt for choice in Downtown Kelowna! We tried all three ice cream/gelato spots in the area and have provided our thoughts and recommendation for each to help you decide which one to visit (if not all of them!).

• Moolix - Rating: 9/10

  • Moolix stands out to be the best option in terms of the number of flavours available with over 40 to choose from. For just $5.70, you can order a 1 scoop with the choice of 2 flavours, which is what we opted for and the serving size was quite decent. We decided to try the butterscotch and the lavender flavoured ice cream, and both were delicious. We thought we'd mention that the lavender was good to however it may not be to everyone's taste as it can be best described as it tasting exactly like how it smells!

• Parlour - Rating: 8/10

  • If you're looking to get more value for your buck in terms of the quantity of ice cream then Parlour is the perfect place for you. The prices are $5 for one scoop and just $7 for two! When Bree and I visited, we decided to go for the 2-scoop option, and let me tell you, it was so much ice cream that we struggled to finish it! I personally had the flavours of Whisky Hazelnut and Tiramisu, while Bree went for Pistachio and Salted Caramel. The clear standout for us was the Whisky Hazelnut and one we wouldn't recommend was the the Pistachio as it didn't quite live up to our expectations.

• AMORE MIO Gelato - Rating 9/10

  • Now i'm sure you know already but gelato tastes absolutely delicious and places like AMORE MIO offer incredible flavours that you would struggle to find at any ice cream spot. While it's true that gelato can be a little more expensive and you don't get the same quantity as with traditional ice cream, the exceptional quality more than makes up for it. At AMORE MIO, the price for one scoop is $4.90, and for two scoops, it's $9.25. We tried the Rocher gelato which tastes exactly like a Ferrero Rocher and it was our favourite flavour from all 3 places. We also tried the Lemon Meringue which was so refreshing and delicious.

After comparing them all, we found that each option has its own unique benefits. If you're looking for a wide range of options, Moolix is definitely the best choice. On the other hand, if you're seeking a larger quantity for a reasonable price, Parlour is the one that takes the cake. And if you're craving top-notch quality and unique flavours, then AMORE MIO is the perfect place for you!

Sunset at Craft Rooftop Bar

Kelowna, being a charming lake side town, offers plenty of wonderful spots to experience the breathtaking sunset in the Downtown area. One of the best spots is the rooftop of the restaurant called 'Craft', which not only provides a stunning view of Okanagan Lake and the sunset, but also offers delicious food and awesome daily feature deals. For example, on Tuesdays, you can enjoy a delicious burger and a house beer for just $6 each. Overall, Craft is a fantastic option when looking for a place to dine in the downtown area of Kelowna!

Meadow Valley Honey Wine

Kelowna is known for their exceptional array of wineries so a trip here isn't complete without checking to see what they had to offer. For us we chose the Meadow Valley Honey Wine as we were interested in the idea of honey flavoured wine (mead). When we first arrived we opted in for their wine tasting which was fairly in depth as they provided many flavours and other unique creations for us to try.

TOP TIP: The usual cost for this wine tasting is $5pp, however if you head to the information centre in Downtown Kelowna you can grab a coupon card where you can get this experience for free. All you have to do is show the staff the card when you arrive!

Afterwards, we enjoyed a self-guided tour of their garden, complete with informative boards providing interesting facts about bees and their garden. We then decided to stay and sample some of their delicious food at the bistro, including a delightful charcuterie board. In addition, they had a grass area with plenty of games like ring toss and cornhole, adding extra fun to the experience. Furthermore, you can book in a tour on GetYourGuide using the widget below for only $56.50 AUD. It includes lunch, a guided wine and honey tasting as well as a guided tour of the Meadow Vista Artisan Farm. All in all its great value for money so if that's something you are interesting in we would highly recommend!

Overall, this winery offers more than just a typical wine tasting, making it a great destination for everyone, even non-wine drinkers!

Kasugai Gardens

There is a lovely Japanese garden called Kasugai located right behind Kelowna City Hall. It may not be very large, but it is a truly beautiful place to explore. This well designed Japanese garden features a stunning coy fish pond and a serene zen garden. If you find yourself exploring Downtown, we highly recommend taking a quick visit to experience the tranquility of Kasugai Gardens.

Escape Room

When we have the opportunity to visit another city in Canada of course means another escape room experience! We opted this time to still check out the 'Exit' franchise and chose to play their escape room called 'Haunted'. The name 'Haunted' might be a bit misleading because it wasn't actually a scary experience at all. However, Bree and I really enjoyed it, especially because we were able to get on a roll and complete the room in half the time. So if you are seeking a challenge, this particular escape room may not be the one for you. But visiting Exit Kelowna is definitely a great choice if you're looking for a fun activity!

Myra Canyon Trestles

The Myra Canyon Trestles in Kelowna have a fascinating history that dates back to the early 1900s. Originally constructed between 1912 and 1914 as part of the Kettle Valley Railway, the trestles were made using wood and reached heights of up to 60 meters above the canyon floor. In 2002, the trestles were honored with the designation of a National Historic Site, and today they are a beloved tourist attraction in Kelowna. Visitors have the opportunity to hike or bike along the restored trestles and take in breathtaking views of the beautiful Okanagan Valley. While it may require some effort to reach without a car, we wholeheartedly encourage anyone to experience these remarkable trestles if possible!

Summary

So there you have it, those are in our opinion the best things to do in Kelowna, Canada. If our blog has inspired you and got you excited about visiting this beautiful lakeside city then we would really appreciate it if you left a like, comment and share our blog using the buttons below.

Until next time

Bree & Aiden